KARACHI: Grand Health Alliance threatened to close emergency services in hospitals across provinces if their members, arrested in a protest earlier are not released within three hours. 

Earlier, Grand Health Alliance (GHA)’s healthcare workers are campaigning for better working conditions marched towards Sindh Chief Minister’s House after Friday prayers. However, in a counter move, health department of Sindh government has ordered attendance data of hospital staff, as well as medical staff members who did not participate in polio drive. Government also plans to take action against GHA members participating in protests.

After government’s move, Young Doctors Association (YDA) has announced to not boycott any emergency services in province. GHA sit-in was ongoing outside Sindh Secretariat. Protesters were halted by police outside DJ Science College by erecting temporary barriers on Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road. Police used water cannons and manhandled healthcare providers protesting on main Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road, detaining 25 including women. GHA member Doctor Umer Sultan said that hundreds of their workers were arrested. Government tried to deceive them by issuing notification of negotiation committee, he added.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 12 2022

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